1930

A Series of Firsts

The IAFC establishes its first headquarters office in the Scientific American Building in New York City. With a headquarters and a full-time general manager, the association publishes its first regular publication. The first issue of the IAFC Monthly Bulletin appeared in March 1930. While it mostly contains association news, "It is hoped that through the pooling of available information on fire prevention and control the headquarters office of the association will become the clearing house for information on subjects of prime interest to the American fire service."

1932

Fire Chief’s Handbook

The IAFC writes the first edition of the Fire Chief's Handbook but due to the depression, does not have enough funding to publish it. Committed to ensuring the information gets out to the community, the IAFC puts principle before profit and relinquishes the work to a private publisher. The handbook is credited with being the first textbook ever issued for the fire service. It boasted 500 pages and 400 color illustrations; it cost $4.00. The first edition requires 19 print runs to fulfill the demands.

1933

Depression Hits Home

The associations' bank fails at the height of the depression, leaving the association with $0.81 in cash. Though the association had investments in local bonds, they were not able to be called.

1936

First Woman Member

Chief Anne Crawford Allen Holst becomes the first woman member of the IAFC.

1939

Publication Boom

The IAFC ramps up its publication offerings with a more in-depth newsletter, which in 1977 becomes a full-color magazine, The International Fire Chief. The magazine was issued through the mid-1980s. It also begins distributing research presented at annual meetings in pamphlet form for ongoing education. This process continues through the 1950s.

1942

Lessons Learned: Public Venues

The IAFC joins the fire service community in exploring the lessons learned from Boston's Coconut Grove Night Club fire which killed 492 people. Two years later, in 1944, the Hartford Connecticut Circus Fire kills 168 and provides an additional opportunity to explore current practices and advocate for stronger fire prevention and codes supporting emergency egress.